- February 8, 2025
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All Austin Woodman wanted to do was serve his country.
As an aspiring Marine, Woodman had all of the traits one would find suitable for a soldier. He’s responsible, loyal and will fight for what he loves.
Woodman’s pursuit hit a snag, though. The Marines found a protein in his urine when he was attempting to enlist. He was tested multiple times by several doctors, and was later diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy, otherwise known as Berger’s Disease, which is a type of kidney disease.
“It was freaking me out and it was scary, honestly,” Woodman said. “I’ve had kidney disease since I was 19, and who ever imagines that happening to them at that age?”
Woodman’s body doesn’t properly filter antibodies, so his side effects to sickness become excruciating. He was on peritoneal dialysis until July of this year, and will get a new kidney on Sept. 8.
The donor will be his cousin Sierra.
“That’s not something anyone could possibly ask for,” Woodman said. “There are some people that are in facilities for decades, and it’s very serious. I wish we could get more awareness about it.”
Woodman, 23, would go to dialysis centers and see patients sometimes three times his age who have been waiting for kidneys for years. The common wait time on the transplant list for a new kidney is about three years, and Woodman feels blessed to be able to get his when he needs it most—right now.
The First Turn in Port Orange held a benefit for Woodman’s recovery, raising nearly $15,000 to help with his medical bills and recovery. The First Turn has experience raising money for community members with kidney disease as Whitnee Estrada-Tripp endured a similar disease last year.
Just like with Woodman, the community rallied around her.
“It was so overwhelming and incredible,” Estrada-Tripp said. “I can’t even tell you how many people were here and half of them I didn’t even know. Austin and I went to the same dialysis center and have been able to exchange stories, which is amazing, and I’m just here to root for him.”
Woodman’s girlfriend Alexis Jenkins was at the benefit selling T-shirts, water bottles and hats to raise money.
Jenkins, 20, has been with Austin for three years and when she started dating him had no idea about the disease. She’s been one of his biggest supporters ever since.
“He’s a great guy. He never misses work because of it, and he never complains,” Woodman said. “He’s positive about everything and we’re all super excited to him to get his new kidney. His family has been so supportive of him and of us and it’s really something we’re very thankful for.”
Sept. 8 is the magical day for Woodman, and he can’t wait.
To have the support of an entire community behind him, Woodman feels overwhelmed by it. He doesn’t like being the center of attention, but sometimes help is needed and when there was a call for action, the Port Orange community responded in a big way.
“It’s unexpected that so many people did that for me. I appreciate in so many ways," Woodman said. "I’ve always wanted to help people out, and now people are doing that for me, so I really can’t say enough. I’m blown away by the entire experience.”
To donate to Woodman’s GoFundMe page, go to GoFundMe.com and search “Austin Woodman”.
